President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and all local government units within Metro Manila to provide a grace period for e-bikes, e-trikes, and other vehicles affected by a government ban.
The MMDA earlier said that the ban on electric bicycles and tricycles (e-bikes and e-trikes) tricycles, pushcarts, pedicabs, kuligligs, and light electric vehicles will be enforced on major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting April 15.
“Today, I ordered the MMDA and all local governments in Metro Manila to grant a grace period to e-bikes, e-trikes, and other affected vehicles passing through certain designated roads in Metro Manila,” Mr. Marcos said.
The President added that: “Ample time must be given for wide dissemination of information regarding the ban we are implementing.”
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the grace period would be for one month. Garafil said according to President Marcos, e-trikes will not be subject to ticketing, fines, or impounding during this period.
Under the MMDA regulation, e-vehicles like e-bikes and e-trikes are banned from using national and circumferential roads in Metro Manila, along with tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and the so-called kuliglig, to enhance road safety.
The violation incurs a P2,500 fine, according to the MMDA. If stopped, authorities are tasked to direct drivers to appropriate roads and remind them of the new regulations to enhance safety and orderliness on the streets.
“We recognize the need to ensure that everyone affected by these regulations is adequately informed and given time to adjust. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of all residents, and these measures are designed to uphold that commitment,” Garafil said.
The Metro Manila Council earlier passed Regulation No.24-002 Series of 2024, which prohibits the said vehicles from passing through national roads, circumferential roads, radial roads, and areas under the jurisdiction of the MMDA.
MMDA chairman Don Artes said the ban will be implemented due to the rising number of light electric vehicles on the streets and the increase in road crashes involving them.
The MMDA Road Safety Unit reported 907 e-bike, e-trike, and e-scooter-related road crashes in Metro Manila last year, a nearly triple increase from the 309 accidents in 2019.
“We will not wait for these figures to go higher and the situation to worsen,” said Artes.
He said that there’s a big chance of fatality if the e-bike, e-trike, and e-scooter users traverse roads with vehicles driving at 60 to 80 kilometers per hour, since their vehicles are open and wearing a helmet is not required.
Artes said the target date for the release of the IRR is one to two weeks before the April 15 implementation and will take into consideration the position papers to be submitted by the stakeholders.